Student halls of residence in London

Hello! If you’re planning your exchange or your studies in the English capital, you're surely thinking about searching for accommodation. Here we give you all the information you need to take into account about student residences in London. You can read about their advantages and disadvantages, the differences between private residences and university residences, how to find an affordable residence and answers to the most frequently asked questions among young people. Let’s do this!

The first thing you have to keep in mind is that London is one of the cities in the world that welcomes the most students every year, both English and international. In addition, it is a tourist destination par excellence. Because of this, finding accommodation can be a bit difficult, and rental costs can be high. Start as soon as you can! And book as soon as possible when you find the ideal residence for you.

Pros and cons of living in a residence in London

The following are some of the most notable features of this type of accommodation in the English capital:

Pros of living in student dorms in London

You will have the opportunity to live with different nationalities and cultures, which will greatly enrich your experience in the English city. Take the opportunity to learn from them, as well as delve into the local culture!
Many London residences offer the clauses of “No visa, no pay” and “No University, no pay”. This means that, if you don’t obtain a visa you can cancel the reservation without any penalty.
They usually have facilities to enjoy and share with other residents, which may include a gym, cinema, study or games rooms, terrace with beautiful views of London and/or swimming pool.
Normally expenses for services such as electricity, water, gas, and internet are included in the monthly rent, so you don't have to worry about any extra expenses at the end of each month.
Among the services they offer, they can include food. This allows you to focus more on your studies instead of worrying about shopping and cooking. Of course, this causes the monthly price to increase.
All residences have 24-hour security.

Cons of living in student dorms in London

It may result difficult to disconnect from university life, which may mean that you enjoy less of everything the city has to offer because you prefer to stay in residence. This is even more accentuated in those found on the institutions' campuses.
If you’re very social or prone to FOMO, concentrating on studies can be a challenge. There will always be a better plan to do with your friends than studying.
The coexistence rules are stricter than in shared flats, especially regarding schedules and visits. For example, dinner may be served between 6:00-7:30 p.m., which may be too early for some international students!
Contracts may not be very flexible, that is, you may not be able to apply for a place in a residence if you are only staying a few months and not the entire course.
The storage space for each person in common areas, such as the kitchen, can be quite small, which can be very uncomfortable.

Private student residences in London

Most of these private residences in London are situated “off-campus”, that is, outside the institutions' campus. This may indeed involve a journey from accommodation to the University and vice versa, but it can be long or short, depending on where you rent the residence. The positive thing is that in London there is a very wide availability of this type of accommodation, so you will find residences in many neighbourhoods, including Shoreditch, Hackney, South Bank, Bloomsbury and Aldgate, for example.

Among the types of accommodation that you can find in the residences are: single rooms with shared bathroom, single rooms with private bathroom (en-suite) and studio apartments. Additionally, another fact that you have to keep in mind is that some private residences in London offer the option of renting rooms with different sizes and storage space, as well as different bed sizes and better views. But of course, remember that this is reflected in the cost of the rental!

Each residence has different facilities and common spaces. Among them there may be a gym, cinema, study or games rooms, a terrace with beautiful views of London, and some even have a swimming pool!

University student halls of residence in London

The “student halls” in the English capital can be located both on-campus or off-campus. Living on campus usually costs a little more to rent than living off campus, although it always depends on the type of accommodation you choose and the services they include. Another fact to take into account when choosing is that the cost of public transportation is usually quite high, and if you live on campus you can avoid having to pay round trip every day you have classes.

The amenities at University residences vary greatly, since those located on campus have easy access to, for example, the institutions' sports facilities. However, so that you keep it in mind, some facilities that residences often have are: living room, games room, cinema and study rooms, garden, terrace to enjoy the outdoors, laundry area and gym.

One thing to keep in mind is that in some residences bed linen and towels are not included. If so, you can choose between taking them from home or buying them once you arrive in London. But do your research, because many residences offer the possibility of renting this for your stay.

Student Residences of the University of London

The residences of this institution are called Intercollegiate Halls. They usually have waiting lists, so not everyone who applies for a place gets one. In addition, those students who are going to be there for the entire academic year typically have priority, so if you are going on an exchange it will be even more difficult to get a place.

Rent cheap student residences in London

In our search engine, you can compare between the different cheap student residences in the English capital. Take the opportunity to filter between the most important features for you, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Once you have rented your cheap accommodation in London, completely securely and online on our platform, you can go look for affordable plans. One of the students' favourites is to visit museums that are free! Don't miss museums like Tate Modern, National Gallery, John Soane’s Museum or the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Frequently Asked Questions about student dorms in London

What are the requirements to apply for a place in a student residence in London?
There are two requirements that all residences ask for equally: enrollment at a University of London and a valid identity document or passport. In addition, in some cases it is also requested to present a guarantor.
How much does a student residence in London cost?
An important fact to keep in mind is that in London, accommodation prices are usually shown on a weekly basis, so you have to calculate carefully how much the final monthly cost would be. For example, the minimum cost of a student residence in the English capital is around 200 pounds per week, that is, approximately 800 pounds per month.
What’s cheaper, a flat or a student residence in London?
Normally the cost of rooms in private shared apartments is cheaper than that of residences. It should also be noted that off-campus residences are frequently cheaper than those on campus. However, keep in mind that each accommodation offers different amenities, which is what affects the established price the most.
When to book a student residence in London?
As soon as you can! We recommend that you start searching and book as soon as the destination is assigned to you, so you can have more options to choose from and find your ideal residence more easily. Remember that many students from all over the world pick London to study, so demand is very high.
Are there male and female halls of residence in London?
Yes, there are female and male residences in the city. However, this is not the most common in private residences, as most are mixed.